This is the story of Tiffany and a teenager’s loneliness

By Nedra Lucas, President/CEO

Tiffany’s story is not new to many of you. However, as we enter Domestic Violence Awareness month, I thought that it was important to remind ourselves how critical it is to nurture the spirits and minds of our young women and adolescent youth. They need to know how beautiful, wondrous and worthy they truly are. Join me in revisiting “Tiffany’s Story”.

Tiffany does not feel isolated from her friends, but she feels trapped as though confined inside a solitary room.  The door is locked, there is no one there to hear her cry, and no one speaks.  Confusion swells inside her mind struggling desperately to release itself when she hears unfamiliar voices on the other side of the door. For a moment hope dawns, but each word is contradicted by the next. Tiffany’s life is like that.  She is no longer a child, but not yet an adult.  She is experiencing the struggle of an adolescent for identity.  She is actually searching for her own voice with which she can make her own decisions.  But in this day and time her search appears to be in vain.  There is not father present to guide her.   Her mother is in the home, perhaps struggling herself and at times absent emotionally from Tiffany.  Tiffany remains locked in her room – she is coping – she thinks.

You are the one who can help unlock the door for Tiffany. The Mission’s Inspiring Girls’ Hope – “Tea Time” program creates an environment in which encouraging dialogue can be shared with young women ages 13 to 17.  The program reaches out to young females in an effort to reach them during the pivotal development stages wherein they transition to adulthood. The practice of an actual tea party is a westernized concept which began in Victorian England.  Tea as a beverage has the capacity to refresh the mind and spirit, as it soothes the inner person.

Inspiring Girls’ Hope is an opportunity for young females to take time out to …explore and discover and to learn from the significant older women in their family and the community.  There is no reproach, no reprimand, no demand-just loving, and non-judgmental encouragement. The Inspiring Girls’ Hope “Tea Time” program provides a venue through which supportive “sister-friend” relationships are created.
Please help us with this wondrous work by providing a tax deductible contribution to The Mission: Prevention Education Inspiring Girls Hope “Tea Time”.  Even a small donation will help.  Tiffany is waiting.